Spring-tire.



UNITED STATES GEORGE W. VAN STEENBURGH, OF MANORKILL, NEW YORK.

SPRING-TIRE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14, 1914.

Application filed March 6, 1913. Serial No. 752,483.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Gnoncn W. VANSTEENBURGII, a citizen of the United States, residing at Manorkill, inthe county of Schoharie, State of New York, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Spring-Tires; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to spring tires.

The object of the invention resides in the provision of a spring tirewhich may be readily associated with an ordinary Wheel and when soassociated will efficiently absorb the shocks and jars incident totravel and thereby enhance the comfort of the occupants of the vehicle.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a springtire which will be strong, durable and efficient in use.

IVith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in thedetails of construction and in the arrangement and combination of partsto be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference denotecorresponding parts in the several views, and in which-- Figure 1 is aplan view of a spring tire constructed in accordance with the invention;Fig. 2, a side elevation of a fragment of same applied to the folly of awheel; Fig. 3, a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a section onthe line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a top view of one of the fasteningblocks employed to receive the tire to a felly; Fig. 6, a detailperspective of one of the fastening blocks; Fig. 7 a detail perspectiveView of one of the sections which make up the tread of the tire, andFig. 8, a plan view showing a slightly modified form of tire.

Referring to the drawings 10 indicates the felly of an ordinary wheelwhich is provided with the usual flat metal rim 11. A plurality ofradial passages 12 extend through the felly 10 and rim 11 for a purpose.that will presently appear. Secured to the felly 10 in embracingrelation to the latter are a plurality of U-shaped securing blocks Aeach of which includes a bight portion 13 and arms 14, the bight portion13 ex- 1 tending across the rim 11 and engaging the latter. This bightportion 13 of each securmg block is provided with a lateral extension 15which rests upon rim 11. Extending radially through the felly 10, rim 11and bight portion 13 of each securing block are transversely alinedpassages 16 in which are engaged respectively bolts 17 the outer ends ofwhich terminate in eye members 18. Extending radially. through the arms14 of each securing block are passages 19 respectively, while the bightportion 13 of each securing block is provided with an opening 20 whichalines with a respective passage 12. The opening 20 and passage 12 andthe passages 19 are all substantially elliptical in cross section sothat bolts or pins disposed therethrough will be capable of a certainamount of circumferential play. Surrounding the felly 10 in spacedrelation thereto is a rim formed of a plurality of annular members B, Cand D arranged side by side. Each of these annular members B, C and D isformed of a plurality of corresponding sections 21 which terminate .tone end in perforated spaced ears 22 at their other end in a singleperforated car 28. Each of the sections 21 is provided on its inner sideWith a central perforated ear 24. The sections 21 of the members B and Dare correspondingly disposed while the sections 21 of the members G aredisposed in staggered relation with respect to the sections 21 of themembers B and D. In assembling the rim the ear 23 of each section 21 isdisposed between the cars 22 of the'adjacent section and a bolt 25 ispassed through the interlocking ears of the sections 21 of the members Band D and through the ears 24 of the sections 21 of the member C. Otherbolts 26 are then engaged through the interlocking cars 22 and 23 of thesections 21 of the member 0 and also through the cars 24 of the sections21 of the members B and D. By this construction it will be apparent thatthe members B, C and D are all united to form a single rim. The innerear 22 of each section 21 of the members B and D is cut away as at 27 soas to leave an open space into which projects one end of a tie rod 28which is pivoted upon the adjacent bolt 25, there being two of these tierods pivotally engaged with each bolt 25. The other ends of these rodsare pivotally engaged respectively with the eye members 18 of the bolts17 carried by alternate secured blocks A.

is permitted to 17 carried by alternate securing blocksA."

Carried by the sections 21 of the members "B, C and D arespaced seriesof bo1ts32, the bolts of each series being arranged in transversealinement and passing respectively through the alined passages 19 andthrough the continuous passage formed by the opening 20 and the passage12. As the passages 19 and the opening 20 and passage 12 are ellipticalin cross section and in addition are flared at each end and loosely fitthe bolts 32' it will be obvious that the tread 21 move. radiallyinwardly. Surrounding each bolt 32; and having one end bearing against arespective. section 21 and its other end bearing againsta securing blockA is a spiral spring 33'which acts as acushion during the use ofthetire. The sections 21 of the members B', C andv D are provided on theiroutersides at suitable spaced points withcl'eats 34 which serve toprevent slipping of the tire from the; engaged surface during use.

In the modified form illustrated in Fig. 8 the sectionsi2l of themembers, 13', C4 and D are all arranged correspondingly so that thebolts 25 serve to secure the sections 21 of all members together andthe, use of the bolts 26 consequently dispensed with. Y

What I claim is 1. The combination of with radial passages, shapedsecuring blocks and provided respectivey with. openings in their bightportions registering with the passages in, the telly and, furtherprovided a telly provided a plurality of U- embracing the folly portionsare the endsof tie with radial passages in respective arms, a

; rim encircling the telly and formed of a plurality of annular memberseach of which comp'rises a plurality of hingedly connected sections,means for securing said annular members against lateral movement withrespect to each other, bolts carried by the sec- .tions of said annularmembers and slidably engaged through the passages in said securingblocks and through the registering openings and passages of the securingblock and felly respectively, and springs encircling each of said boltshaving their terminals in engagement respectively with the securingshaped" securingv blocks embracing the telly and provided respectivelywith openings in their bight portion registering with the pas sages inthe telly and further provided. with radial passages in respective arms,a rim encircling the telly and formed of a plurality of annular memberseach of which comprises a plurality of hingedly connected sections,means for securing said annular members against lateral movement withrespect to each other, bolts, carried by the sections of said annularmembers and slidably engaged through the passages in said securingblocks and through the registeringjopeningsand, passages of the securingblock and telly respectively, and tie rods havingone end pivotallyconnected to the rim and their other ends pivotally connected to thesecuring blocks. I

In testimony whereof, 'I afiiX, my signature, in the presence of twoWitnesses.

GEQRGE W. VAN STEENBU-RGH.

Witnesses: I

NELIA CHRISTIAN, H. C. MAKELY.

Copies: of'this patent may be obtainedlfor five cents each, byaddressing the. Commissioner of Patents,

- Washfngton B. 0.! I

